To Thomas Jefferson from Mann Page, 29 May 1801
From Mann Page
Mann’s field May 29th. 1801
my dear Sir
I am applied to by Major John Verminet to introduce him to your Acquaitance. He is a Gentleman of Letters, I have known him as such for several Years. He came into the Country in the begining of 1776, & was Assistant with Genl. Kosciosko in fortifying Ticondedoga. In which Station, he then acted as a Captn of Engineers. In the Year following, at the Request of Genl. Washington he was appointed Major of Engineers, in which Situation he continued to the End of the War, & has since served in the same Capacity. His Object is, (if it is the Design of the Executive properly to fortify the Chesapeak) to be1 appointed to that Business togather with that of Norfolk & a Part of James River. If such an Appointment is necessary I venture to recommend Majr Verminet as a proper Person to fill it
With sincere regard I am your Friend
Mann Page
I enclose you a little Piece of his
RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 2 June and so recorded in SJL with notation “Majr Verminet” and “Off”; also endorsed by TJ: “John Verminet. engineer.” Enclosure not found.
Jean Arthur Marie de Vermonnet, a French volunteer who previously had served in the French Army, served in the Continental Army and became a brevet major of engineers on 18 Sep. 1776 (, 560; , 5:67–8).
1. MS: “to to.”